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Philadelphia Ride for Kids

by
Office of Marketing | November 05, 2013

On September 15, over 125 motorcyclists flocked to Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC), which hosted the start and finish line for this year’s Philadelphia Ride for Kids. For the third consecutive year, VFCC was honored to facilitate the 40-mile ride that winds through Chester County and raises thousands of dollars for a great cause.

About 28,000 people in the United States are living with a pediatric brain tumor, with eleven children diagnosed every day. The Ride for Kids is a national program of organized motorcycle rides that raises funds and awareness for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) – its mission to "eliminate the challenges of childhood brain tumors by funding medical research and family support programs.”

This year, Ride for Kids celebrated its 30th year of fundraising and awareness. Motorcycle rides were coordinated in more than 40 cities across the country, where heartrending stories from local brain tumor survivors and their families were shared prior to the start of the ride.

In this particular event, six “Shining Stars” – children and young adults ranging from early elementary to college age – were honored. These are children who have endured, or are currently enduring, treatment for a pediatric brain tumor and shared their testimonies with the bikers. One “Shining Star," by the name of John, has participated in all nine Philadelphia Ride for Kids events – riding on a bike with Steve Falk, Task Force Leader, for the past seven years.

VFCC student, Stacie Celender, was also honored as a “Shining Star” at this year's Ride for Kids after several years of volunteer participation. Celender has endured the ups-and-downs of a brain tumor diagnosis since early adolescence. Despite the difficult journey, she has pushed through, keeping faith in the Lord, and is slated to graduate this December.

In all, more than 180 participants contributed nearly $70,000 to the PBTF through this year’s Philadelphia Ride for Kids. The national Ride for Kids program has raised about $3 million this year – with several more rides yet to be held around the county.

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about UVF

The University of Valley Forge is a private Christian University located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 35 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. UVF offers on its sprawling park-like campus, as well as online, 67 undergraduate and seven graduate degrees in the Arts, the Sciences and the Professions. The university's mission is to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.

about UVF

University of Valley Forge is a private Christian University located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 35 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. UVF offers on its sprawling park-like campus, as well as online, 67 undergraduate and seven graduate degrees in the Arts, the Sciences and the Professions. The university's mission is to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.